Hijab is both a concept and an item of clothing. The Arabic word hijab literally means a curtain or cover. In a real life sense Hijab is the practice of veiling or head covering. A Hijab is also the actual garment or headscarf that Muslim women wear as a symbol of identity or a mark of modesty and devotion to their faith. So as a concept Hijab means to veil, or to seclude and refers to the concept of modesty, privacy and morality prescribed in Islam. The concept of modesty or “hijab” applies to both men and women. They are both expected to dress modestly and to “lower their gaze” or not stare at the other purely out of interest. As an item of clothing hijab refers to the veil or head scarf worn by women throughout the Muslim world.

Head covering is not unique to the Islam and Muslims. Christian and Jewish women in some traditions also wear a headscarf as a cultural practice or commitment to modesty or piety. Hijab is also not restricted to women. Many men also wear a hat and dress modestly, observing "hijab". Some women choose to wear a hijab while others do not. But most Muslim women agree that it is a woman’s choice whether or not she wears the hijab.

History of the Hijab

Womens hijabs have taken many forms through history. Veiling first began in Assyria around 13 BC as a practice by "respectable" women . Elite women in ancient Greco-Roman, pre-Islamic Iranian, and Byzantine societies also practiced veiling. It wasn't until the 16th century that the veil emerged as a symbol of social status among Muslims. And since the 19th century Muslims have embraced Islamic hijab as a cultural as well as an Islamic practice and the hijab head scarf became mainstream.

Types of Hijab Today

Hijab: The simplest type of hijab is the common scarf hijab, with a square scarf used as a hijab scarf or hijab head wrap. This is the most common form of hijab practiced by Muslim women living in the West.

Shayla: A rectangular hijab shawl, that's draped around the head and artfully pinned, leaving the face clear.

Turban: A hijab scarf usually rectangular that is wrapped up around the head leaving the neck and face clear.

Khimar: A historical, cape like head scarf that hangs to the back.

Other more covered types of hijabs are the Niqab (face covering) Chador (body cloak, face clear) and the Burqa (full body cloak).

Women wear Hijab for many reasons; because it is prescribed in Islam, as a mark of recognition of their faith, just to be modest, or all of the above. As Muslim women are becoming more and more active in their communities in the spheres of education, work and service, the form of hijab they observe has also evolved. Women are looking for hijab clothing options that are not only modest but also stylish and fashionable.

Whether you are Muslim or not, choose to wear a headscarf full time, only during prayer, as a mark of modesty or just a cool cultural accent or fashion accessory, Artizara has the stylish hijab scarf for you.

Are you frustrated by the task of finding matching head scarves, hijabs and wraps to coordinate with your modest long shirts? Are you tired of searching for pieces to layer under your hijab so they cover properly? It is often difficult to find a hijab for sale that is both cute, comfortable and coordinates with your look. Putting together a coordinated modest tunic and hijab scarf ensemble may mean taking extra time getting ready in your already busy day.

Artizara has been the trusted name in the online Islamic fashion world since 2002. The first online hijab store to introduce coordinated and dyed to match hijabs with all our hijab clothing styles, we've been leading the way ever since, to provide stylish hijab styles to discerning modest women, year after year. Browse our selection and you will find chiffon hijabs, cotton hijabs, silk hijabs, embroidered hijabs, solid color hijabs and hijabs in pretty prints. From square hijabs to rectangles, to stretch sports hijabs, you’ll find it all under one roof here at Artizara.

Here you'll find matching ladies hijabs for sale with modest Islamic tops to take the guess work out of creating a coordinated ensemble. Our hijab scarves are made of breathable, light fabrics and designed to be big enough to cover, without bulk They are custom designed and often dyed to match our shirts for an effortless, "put-together" look. Artizara trendy modest tops feature full sleeve long shirts and tunics in the season's hottest styles and colors, all with modestly tapered fits and longer lengths that hit below the hip. Many of our modest long tops and long tunics have unique design details inspired by Islamic art and heritage that set them apart from what you would find (or not find!) at stores. Add to that the coordinated head scarves, hijabs and wraps, and Artizara will be your new go-to destination for a stylishly modest look.

Take the guesswork out of looking good. See a long tunic top you like? There will be a hijab to match we’ve hand picked for you. Our hijabs are crafted of quality fabrics and designed to give you years of wear. Our light weight hijabs are soft, comfortable and breathable, so you not only look good but feel good too!

Formal occasion hijab challenge? Yes, we know how hard it is to coordinate formal hijab attire. You’ll be spoilt for choice because at Artizara we design all our formal Islamic and modest long dresses and modest formal tops with coordinating dyed to match formal hijabs. So go ahead and browse our selection of beautiful hijabs. If you love certain colors, use the handy sort by color feature to see hijabs in just the colors you like.